Raja Casablanca have finally signed Ghana defender Awal Mohammed in a free agent deal.

The Moroccan giants finally landed their man after a protracted transfer dealing which spanned for almost a month. Sources had revealed that the former Maritzburg United’s initial preference for a deal with an unnamed MLS side to the Moroccan League.

Raja’s Dutch coach, Ruud Krol, had personally recommended the signing of the 27-year-old centre-back subject to medicals but initial feet-dragging saw the club try out Nigeria's Kunle Odunlami and Senegal's Somare but both defenders failed to impress the manager.

Raja made headways with Awal's camp as he finally arrived to have his medical last Thursday ahead of a three-year deal.

Supersport.com understands the deal nearly broke down when it was detected the Black Stars defender was suffering from a knee problem. According to sources, Raja were convinced it was not much of a problem withnthe club insisting a termination clause should Awal be sidelined for a long period due to the knee complication during the contract period.

Awal signed his three-year ccontract in the presence of his London-based agent Kwame on Saturday and will have the chance to join his new teammates for their July 31 - August 10 pre-season tour of Turkey.

Awal was sold to Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab by Maritzburg in January but the tall defender terminated his contract with the club three months later over non-payment of his entitlements.

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